My Houzz: A Light-filled Apartment Full of Creative Character
Photos, books, furniture, wallpaper – most pieces in this open, airy flat have personal meaning for the creative owners
This apartment in Rome, Italy, belongs to photo editor and creative director Irene Alison and theatre director Marcello Cotugno. With the help of architects from Matca Studio, who carried out the renovation and designed the interior, it has been reshaped to fit with the couple’s lifestyle, with bright, interconnected, open spaces and few doors in sight.
Its décor reflects the couple’s creative passions, while at the same time incorporating elements of the history of the building. Having got to know the previous owners, Alison and Cotugno tried to do justice to the original layout and functions of the space and use some of the items their new friends had left behind.
Its décor reflects the couple’s creative passions, while at the same time incorporating elements of the history of the building. Having got to know the previous owners, Alison and Cotugno tried to do justice to the original layout and functions of the space and use some of the items their new friends had left behind.
Then their agent stumbled on this apartment. It was love at first sight: the high plaster ceilings, the light, the arrangement of the spaces and the fact that it could be adapted further to their – and pooch Zazie’s – needs. It was just what they wanted, except for the fact that it’s outside the Pigneto district limits, in neighbouring Tor Pignattara.
The living room is the best reflection of Alison and Cotugno’s story and passions. The two met at a theatre school, and Cotugno is currently a theatre director, so the stage holds great significance for them both. Its influence can be seen in the standing spotlight and the theatre encyclopedia by Alberto Lionello, which frames the dining area like a curtain at the edge of a stage.
The living room is the best reflection of Alison and Cotugno’s story and passions. The two met at a theatre school, and Cotugno is currently a theatre director, so the stage holds great significance for them both. Its influence can be seen in the standing spotlight and the theatre encyclopedia by Alberto Lionello, which frames the dining area like a curtain at the edge of a stage.
Alison is the creative director of photography studio Der Lab, so photography is a narrative element throughout the house. Each print represents a history, a relationship, a moment in life, a project Alison completed or an event she handled. “They are not just decorative elements,” she says.
The dining table had been bought by Cotugno’s grandmother in Naples. Even though it’s an antique, it’s been matched with DSR chairs by Vitra. “I adore them! And we like unusual combinations,” Alison says.
Love throwing dinner parties? This item will elevate your space
The dining table had been bought by Cotugno’s grandmother in Naples. Even though it’s an antique, it’s been matched with DSR chairs by Vitra. “I adore them! And we like unusual combinations,” Alison says.
Love throwing dinner parties? This item will elevate your space
There is something for everyone here – even Zazie has her own spot in the living room.
How to design a dog’s bed into your home
How to design a dog’s bed into your home
Cotugno’s office is to one side of the living room, behind the gallery wall. Since his work involves a lot of video editing, he had to make space for three monitors. The models have been selected for both functionality and aesthetics. They sit on a desk that dates back to the 1930s and once belonged to Cotugno’s grandfather.
Billy bookcases from Ikea cover the whole wall and hold Cotugno’s CD collection – mostly indie, electronic and post-rock – and theatre books.
Billy bookcases from Ikea cover the whole wall and hold Cotugno’s CD collection – mostly indie, electronic and post-rock – and theatre books.
The bedroom is on the other side of the living room, behind the TV wall.
None of the rooms in the house have doors, save, of course, the bathrooms. Despite being the most private part of the home, the bedroom is no exception. Alison and Cotugno specifically requested that spaces should not be separated, so there could be unity in all life in the house.
The wall behind the bed conceals the walk-in wardrobe. The headboard is vintage from the 19th century, bought at a market. The word “Closer”, lit up in neon above the bed, is the title of a play by Patrick Marber, which Cotugno adapted for an Italian audience.
Neon letters, Seletti. Bedside lamps, Ikea.
Explore the trend for broken-plan living
None of the rooms in the house have doors, save, of course, the bathrooms. Despite being the most private part of the home, the bedroom is no exception. Alison and Cotugno specifically requested that spaces should not be separated, so there could be unity in all life in the house.
The wall behind the bed conceals the walk-in wardrobe. The headboard is vintage from the 19th century, bought at a market. The word “Closer”, lit up in neon above the bed, is the title of a play by Patrick Marber, which Cotugno adapted for an Italian audience.
Neon letters, Seletti. Bedside lamps, Ikea.
Explore the trend for broken-plan living
The dresser in front of the bed was manufactured in Sorrento in the 1950s. The couple bought it from a junk dealer in Naples, who turned out to be a former student of Alison’s mother.
The third, long side of the living room (opposite the windows) opens onto a hallway with a small reading nook. A shelf overhead houses books on photography and theatre alongside Cotugno’s vinyl collection.
Flamingos wallpaper, Cole & Son.
Flamingos wallpaper, Cole & Son.
Across from the comfy chair, a table holds a mirror and a tin car Alison bought on a trip to Angola. The table was once part of a Necchi sewing machine. Alison bought it from a junk dealer and restored it with her mother’s help.
A metal staircase leads from the reading corner to the upper floor, where Alison’s office, the kitchen and the terrace are located.
A metal staircase leads from the reading corner to the upper floor, where Alison’s office, the kitchen and the terrace are located.
The main bathroom is modern and functional. Although it hasn’t been renovated, it’s in line with the style of the rest of the house. The owner’s passions again make an appearance through photos and posters on the wall.
A deep and spacious shower is finished in pearly mosaics, with which Cotugno immediately fell in love.
Tapware, Flaminia.
A deep and spacious shower is finished in pearly mosaics, with which Cotugno immediately fell in love.
Tapware, Flaminia.
Alison’s office and the kitchen are on the second floor, which is also the top storey of the building. The two spaces are divided by a metal and glass sliding door.
Tropical-themed wallpaper sets the tone for the room. Alison chose it because it reminds her of the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles, with which she fell in love on a trip when she was just a little girl.
Matca Studio architects tried to preserve the original functions of the rooms in the apartment as much as possible. Alison’s office, which the previous owners had used as a dining room, is one of the spaces that have been reinvented.
The pink chair was found at a flea market. The stall’s owner explained that it had come from a school, where it had been the teacher’s chair. Alison restored and repainted it.
Wallpaper, Le Havane by Nobilis.
Tropical-themed wallpaper sets the tone for the room. Alison chose it because it reminds her of the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles, with which she fell in love on a trip when she was just a little girl.
Matca Studio architects tried to preserve the original functions of the rooms in the apartment as much as possible. Alison’s office, which the previous owners had used as a dining room, is one of the spaces that have been reinvented.
The pink chair was found at a flea market. The stall’s owner explained that it had come from a school, where it had been the teacher’s chair. Alison restored and repainted it.
Wallpaper, Le Havane by Nobilis.
The kitchen is simple and functional. White surfaces, including the beamed ceiling, amplify the light coming in from the windows to create a bright and airy space.
Stools, Ikea.
Stools, Ikea.
Alison’s office opens onto a shady terrace. The bench is another element that was left by the previous owners; it was originally used as a desk.
The apartment’s charm is not limited to its interior. The building’s facade features a final surprise, a mural by the German duo Herakut, inscribed with words of wisdom: “When we are in need, we trust people as though they were family. It would be nice if we could remember these ties even in our best moments.”
What do you think of this highly personal home? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
What do you think of this highly personal home? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Who lives here Irene Alison, Marcello Cotugno and their dog, Zazie
Location Tor Pignattara, Rome, Italy
Size About 150 sq m over two floors. On the first floor there’s an entrance hall with a reading corner, the living room, Cotugno’s office, the bedroom and two bathrooms. On the second floor are the kitchen, Alison’s office and a 40 sq m terrace.
Year built 1940s
Year of renovation 2016
Architects Matca Studio
Photos by Paolo Fusco
Alison and Cotugno had lived in the buzzing Pigneto district of Rome for years, and did not want to leave the neighbourhood. However, when they decided to move from their old apartment, they had trouble finding a new home in the area.